Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had “psychopathic tendencies” because
she did not feel as much guilt over her actions as she ought, an actress who
played her has said.

Andrea Riseborough, who played Baroness Thatcher in television drama The Long Walk to Finchley, said the politician had “oversights” when it came to millions of people.

Despite being an intelligent woman, Riseborough said Lady Thatcher was not in touch with herself or anyone else, and did not feel enough guilt about her actions.

The actress, who is in the running for the Bafta Rising Star award this year, told the Radio Times she had spent “hours” in the former Prime Minister’s old school and home town in preparation for the career-changing role.

“Mrs Thatcher had oversights when it came to thousands of people,” she said. “No, millions.

“She is still untouchable for many because she didn’t operate in the way others did. Her connection with humanity was a very loose thread.

“Emotionally, she was not in touch with herself or anybody else. As well as being such an intelligent woman, I would say she had psychopathic tendencies.”

The magazine described her laughing at the notion, as she added: “As I understand it, the term implies a tendency not to feel as much guilt about one’s actions as perhaps one ought to.”

Riseborough, 31, played a young Margaret Thatcher in the television programme, which was broadcast on BBC4 five years ago.

In it, she tracks the beginnings of the politicians career, finally sealing her victory by winning a parliamentary seat in Finchley in 1959.

She has previously spoken of her portrayal of Lady Thatcher as a “version of the truth, but not the truth”, adding it had been “fascinating”.

She told the Daily Telegraph: “'It was a wonderfully fun romp through the early part of her life, which was actually full of turmoil and tragedy and misery and tenacity.

“I think the real Thatcher was unknowingly sexual. It became conscious once she realised it worked, but it was nurture not nature.”

She added she had spoken to actress Meryl Streep about her performance in The Iron Lady, which shows the latter years of Lady Thatcher, saying it was “heartbreaking” to watch what felt like the “end of what was once my own life”.

The actress, who has also appeared on the big screen in Made in Dagenham, Never Let Me Go and Madonna’s W.E. as well starring in theatre productions, said she enjoyed studying the “flaws and oversights” of each of her characters.

Riseborough was awarded the London Evening Standard British Film Award for best actress last night, for her role in IRA thriller Shadow Dancer.